“Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me” (Philemon 11). Paul is in prison, writing to a man named Philemon, a wealthy Christian who lives in the city of Colossae, in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey, who had come to Christ through Paul’s ministry.

He is writing about Onesimus, a runaway slave. Onesimus has somehow met Paul, perhaps by being caught and thrown in prison alongside Paul. As a result, Paul has led Onesimus to Christ and now Paul calls Onesimus his “child,” his son. Onesimus is now born again and Paul, who brought him to the new birth, is his spiritual father.

Paul had learned that Onesimus was slave to Paul’s old friend, Philemon. And so Paul writes to Philemon and sends his letter along with Onesimus himself (v. 12).

Under Roman law, running away from a slave owner was punishable by death. So Paul appeals to Philemon not to punish Onesimus but to receive him now as a dear brother in Christ. Paul does not force Philemon, though he could have done so (v. 8), but instead makes an appeal based on love (v. 9).

Onesimus has now become a son to Paul in prison (v. 10) and Paul tells Philemon to deal with Onesimus as Paul’s child. “I am sending him back to you,” Paul writes, “sending my very heart” (v. 12).

Paul speculates that perhaps this is why the whole thing happened, so that Philemon would have Onesimus back for eternity. “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever” (v. 15). This is one of the purposes of suffering that Scripture teaches us: the meaning of a painful event may not be found in the cause but in the outcome.

Paul exhorts Philemon not to consider Onesimus any longer to be a slave, but more than a slave—as a man and as a beloved brother in the Lord (v. 16). Paul had earlier praised Philemon for his love for all the saints (v. 5)—and Onesimus is now one of those saints whom Philemon should love.

And so, Paul says, do for Onesimus what you’d do for me, welcome Onesimus as you’d welcome me, and charge it to me (vv. 17-18)…even though Paul is in prison and has no resources!

Onesimus’ name means “useful.” In his past situation, he doubtless felt that he was useless, but now that he is a Christian he is useful both to Philemon and to Paul. And Paul makes clear that he wants Philemon to be useful, as well; he says he wants some benefit from Philemon, too (v. 20).

Think about what’s being said here about being useful to God.

Paul was useful to God in prison!

he wrote letters we have as Scripture;

he witnessed to countless people—both fellow prisoners and jailers (in Philippi) and high government officials (in Caesarea);

he led many to Christ, who in turn shared the Gospel wherever they went;

And his faithfulness in prison led to greater courage and bold preaching among other Christians. He wrote in Philippians 1:14: “And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

Onesimus was useful to God even as a slave. He was in a seemingly hopeless situation. At best, he might escape death and return to slavery. Yet he has come to Christ and now he is true to his name: useful.

Now, how about you? Do you say to yourself, “If only my situation were different, I could be useful to God”?

“If only I had a different job, I could really do something meaningful for God.”

“If only my family situation were different, I could serve God so much more effectively.”

“If only I had that person’s gifts, I could really make a difference for God’s kingdom.”

“If only, if only, if only…”

Paul was useful to God, even in a Roman dungeon.

Onesimus was useful to God, even as a slave.

If we don’t think we can be useful to God in our situation, we need an attitude adjustment—we need to repent and ask God to open our eyes to see the opportunities he is giving us.

To the one who is faithful in little, much is given. How are we using the resources, the circumstances we’ve been given? Accept the calling, embrace the calling…and be useful to God!